Chicago attorney Rachel Cohen resigns in protest after law firm Skadden Law makes deal with Trump administration

CHICAGO (WLS) — A Chicago attorney is opposing the efforts of President Donald Trump’s administration to penalize lawyers and law firms that file lawsuits against him, his administration, or his policies.

Critics argue that this issue strikes at the core of the justice system: lawyers and law firms are being intimidated with executive orders and restrictions on government work unless they align with President Trump’s objectives.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Rachel Cohen was so deeply affected by this that she resigned from her position at a prestigious law firm in protest when it collaborated with the Trump administration.

“I’ve never done something that was so universally well received in my entire life as publicly quitting,” Cohen said.

The Harvard graduate said she worked for years for her shot at one of the largest law firms in the world and got hired at Skadden Law in Chicago. But the third-year associate is now unemployed.

She told the I-Team she resigned her position as the law firm was in the process of striking a deal with the Trump administration for $100 million dollars of free legal work supporting the president’s agenda.

“The Trump administration is coming for corporate law firms, punishing them explicitly and then stripping them of government contracts and trying to run them out of business,” Cohen said. “We have a legal system that requires lawyers bring cases for them to be heard in front of a judge for the Constitution and due process rights to be upheld. He’s trying to intimidate lawyers out of bringing the cases in the first place.”

Cohen said Trump is working to influence the cases law firms take and dictate private legal work to support his goals, while many big law firms are cowering in fear.

“Too scared that maybe their paycheck goes down from $4.5 million to $4.3 million next year, too scared to save not just people’s lives but the fabric of our legal system. Maddening is an understatement,” Cohen said.

RELATED | Illinois AG joins calls for unity against Trump administration’s retaliation on law firms

The president of the Chicago Bar Association, John Sciaccotta, said lawyers need to stand firm to uphold the constitution and should be able to represent whoever they wish.

“When there’s interference with that, that’s really violates the Constitution, violates the rule of law, and, quite frankly, violates the oath that we all take as lawyers to uphold the Constitution,” explained Sciaccotta.

The association is supporting Chicago law firm Jenner and Block, currently fighting a targeted executive order against them by President Trump. He said the pro bono work under fire by Trump’s executive orders will keep many people in the immigration system from receiving representation.

“That is infringing upon their rights, and I think it’s very devastating to who we are as a country,” he said.

The I-Team asked Cohen what motivated her to go public with her resignation.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity to speak about things that I care about, and I’m going to take it,” Cohen said.

Next week, Cohen is set to speak in front of members of the House Judiciary Committee about the President’s actions against law firms.

The I-Team reached out to Skadden Law, but has not yet received a reply.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
ICE expected to temporarily release man trying to save brother in Cicero in need of kidney transplant

ICE to grant temporary release to man attempting to help brother in Cicero who needs kidney transplant

BERWYN, Ill. (WLS) — ICE is expected to temporarily release Friday a…
Lithuanians bid farewell to 4 US soldiers who died during training exercise

Lithuanians pay their respects to 4 US soldiers who lost their lives during a training exercise

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Thousands of people in Lithuania, including political and religious…
Heartbreaking detail in snap of tornado-ravaged Arkansas town as twisters kill six across US

Severe tornadoes claim six lives in the US, revealing heartbreaking aftermath in Arkansas town

After the tornadoes wreaked havoc in Arkansas, the affected counties are now…
Power Plays: Alaska Democrats Are Trying To Find an Election Mary Peltola Can Win

Alaska Democrats Striving to Secure a Winning Election for Mary Peltola

Alaska has an interesting political landscape. Historically, we have consistently supported Republican…
University of South Carolina student, 21, killed in hit-and-run crash involving illegal immigrant: DHS

DHS: Illegal immigrant involved in hit-and-run that killed 21-year-old South Carolina student

A hit-and-run incident near the University of South Carolina claimed the life…
Georgia and Alabama suspects make plea in sextortion scam that led to suicide of Michigan teen

Suspects from Georgia and Alabama plea in sextortion case linked to suicide of Michigan teenager

This article addresses the topic of suicide. If you or someone you…
Horror as father and his two adult children are struck and killed by high-speed Amtrak train

Tragedy strikes as a father and his two grown children are hit and lose their lives in a high-speed Amtrak train accident

A family from Pennsylvania is grieving the loss of their father and…
Donald Trump demands France 'Free Marine Le Pen' and brands her presidential election ban a 'witch hunt'

Donald Trump calls for the release of Marine Le Pen in France and criticizes her presidential election disqualification as a ‘witch hunt’.

President Donald Trump expressed his backing for Marine Le Pen, the far-right…
Prosecution adds ex-US attorney to University of Idaho quadruple murder case

Former US Attorney Joins Prosecution Team for University of Idaho Quadruple Murder Case

BOISE, Idaho — Joshua Hurwit, Idaho’s former U.S. attorney, has become part…
Teddi Mellencamp Confirms She Has Stage 4 Melanoma In Emotional Interview After Cancer Spread To Her Lungs And Brain

Teddi Mellencamp Reveals Stage 4 Melanoma Diagnosis in Emotional Interview After Cancer Spreads to Lungs and Brain

Reality TV personality Teddi Mellencamp from the show Real Housewives of Beverly…
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates speaks after House of Delegates approves tentative Chicago Public Schools deal

Stacy Davis Gates, President of Chicago Teachers Union, Shares Thoughts on Approved Chicago Public Schools Agreement

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates shared details…
Pulitzer Prize winner's parting words as he abruptly quits The Washington Post after slamming Jeff Bezos

“Pulitzer Prize Winner Resigns from The Washington Post Following Criticism of Jeff Bezos”

A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist has become the latest to leave The Washington…